CBP officers found giant scale insects on pine bark in a passenger’s luggage at Detroit Metro Airport; CBP called it the agency’s first recorded encounter with the species at a U.S. port of entry. The traveler from Cameroon was allowed to continue after officers seized the bark.
The traveler was headed to Illinois and carried the bark for medicinal purposes. Officials initially identified the insects as giant scale insects in February; the USDA confirmed on Aug. 7 that the specimens belonged to Aspidoproctus.
The insects feed on plant sap. CBP said their young can be carried by wind and females may lay more than 5,000 eggs. Potential effects include tree damage, stress on local agriculture, and costs from pest control, crop losses or timber impacts.
